Mangrove substrate

[Tommydeal]

I think I read somewhere that they need magnesium. In order for them to thrive "in captivity" you need to supplement with magnesium. Not sure what effect that would have on the fish though. I would definitely like to see a pic though cause I've been thinking about doing the same with my brackish tank.

oh, duh, I mentioned the magnesium thing in a post above...

 

[HX67]

Yeah, they do use magnesium. They somehow replace natrium with magnesium, that is the secret for them thriving in different salinities.
Not sure how much they use it, though. But to my understanding sea salt contains magnesium and it is thus added with every waterchange...?

A friend is keeping them in straight fresh water with no problems. In FW you don't have to worry about magnesium, either.

Will post pics. Tomorrow.

 

[brackishdude]

I researched this as well. I found out that their roots can be attached to rocks or wood. I read that a substrate is not neccesary but supplements, especially magnesium, are required for them to thrive. The mangrove tree is very sensitive to transportation and salinity changes. Also, their leaves must be above water level and they need good lighting.

good summary. They also (supposedly) like to be spritzed with FW regularly to wash off the salt crystalsj they secrete on their leaves.

 

[HX67]

A couple of crappy pics of red mangrove in a paludarium sort of setup:

Above surface:

and below. The height of the tank is 24".

only the thin roots are live mangrove roots, the thicker ones are artificial.

I'm looking forward to the longest roots to reach the bottom sand and seeing what happens after that. I hope the growth pics up a bit...

 

[Tommydeal]

That looks great! Is the substrate straight sand?

 

[HX67]

Yes, silica sand, 1-1,2 mm.

 

[armac]

do not be removing mangroves from the wild, you Florida folks

 

[Tommydeal]

Yes, silica sand, 1-1,2 mm.

What kind of light do you have on them? I really like your setup, do you have a full tank shot?

 

[davo]

A couple of crappy pics of red mangrove in a paludarium sort of setup:

Above surface:



and below. The height of the tank is 24".

only the thin roots are live mangrove roots, the thicker ones are artificial.

I'm looking forward to the longest roots to reach the bottom sand and seeing what happens after that. I hope the growth pics up a bit...

Looks great, I was going to ask for a full tank shot, I'd love to do this sometime in the future. Is there a reason you went for that species of mangrove?

 

[Shiroi Katsune]

Red Mangroves are the ones that grow the nice crazy prop roots. Black Mangroves just shoot up snorkels from their roots kinda like a Cyprus Tree, then Whites ( I believe) don't have any unusual roots.